Curiosity Is the Entry Point: Matt Karabinos on AI in Education

Curiosity Is the Entry Point: Matt Karabinos on AI in Education

Author: Matt Karabinos May 21, 2026 Duration: 17:16
Matt Karabinos joins Jethro Jones to introduce Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk and explore how curiosity, teacher experience, and AI as a thought partner can help educators reimagine teaching and learning.

Hosted by educator and researcher Eli Davis, Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk cuts through the hype to explore how these tools are actually being used in schools. This isn't a theoretical discussion about the future; it's grounded in the present reality of classrooms. Each episode features conversations with the teachers, specialists, and leaders who are integrating AI into their daily practice. You'll hear honest stories about what works, what doesn't, and the nuanced challenges that come with new technology. The focus is on practical application-how AI can serve as a collaborative thought partner to enhance teaching, not replace it. Davis guides discussions toward critical questions of equity, bias, and accessibility, ensuring the dialogue centers on improving outcomes for every student. This podcast provides a necessary space for educators to share their on-the-ground experiences, offering listeners a clearer understanding of both the potential and the pitfalls. It’s for anyone in the field of education who wants to move beyond fear or fascination toward a more informed and intentional use of artificial intelligence. You'll gain actionable insights and a more balanced perspective from people who are navigating this landscape right now.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 48

AI Real Talk: The Curiosity Connection
Podcast Episodes
ISTE 2026: Start a Conversation, Not an Accusation with Mike Lawrence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
In this episode recorded at ISTE 2026, Jethro Jones talks with Mike Lawrence. Mike shares how his school district built a culture of AI transparency using disclosure badges instead of bans, why teachers need to model the…
Doan Winkel: Building Friction, Autonomy, and Design with AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:52
Building Friction, Autonomy, and Design with AI | Doan WinkelWhat if the best thing AI can do for students is refuse to help them? Matt sits down with entrepreneur and educator Doan Winkel to dig into why "helpful AI" mi…
Pathologically Uncurious About AI ft. Jake Rupp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:24
Jake Rupp teaches AP Lang and public speaking, and he built his TikTok following by breaking down rhetoric in bite-sized lessons. In this episode we get into what voice actually means, why AI-written text is so easy to s…
Being a Cautious Advocate with Dr. Alfonso Mendoza Jr. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:37
What does it mean to be a "cautious advocate" in the age of AI?In this episode of Artificial Intelligence Real Talk, host Matthew sits down with Dr. Alfonso Mendoza Jr. ("Dr. Fonz"), educator, ed-tech veteran, and host o…
Aaron Makelky on AI Scouts, Snow Globes, & Building vs. Consuming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:48
Matt Karabinos sits down with Aaron Makelky—former history teacher turned Community & Developer Relations Manager at Descript—to explore the wild, humbling, and often hilarious journey of discovering AI. From a student s…
Rethinking Learning...Just in Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:35
What does it actually mean to use AI responsibly in education? In this episode, host Matthew sits down with educator, author, and automation advocate Jethro Jones to explore the difference between AI that builds you up v…
Inside OpenAI’s Codex Party with Aaron Makelky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Aaron Makelky joins Jethro Jones to unpack OpenAI’s Codex event, AI power-user workflows, the Codex vs. Claude conversation, and why the biggest opportunity may be helping everyday people bridge the AI gap.
An AI Porsche Classroom Experience with Michael Angelone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
In the context of teaching and learning, what it means to stay deeply human, intellectually honest, and pedagogically creative in a world increasingly shaped by machines.CourseHeroHow do we do school now that AI is here?…